Article 14 of the Saudi Electronic Transactions Law
المادة 14 من نظام التعاملات الإلكترونية · الفصل الرابع: التوقيع الإلكتروني
An electronic signature that meets the Law is equivalent to a handwritten signature and has its effects, with duties on the signatory and on those who rely on it; the presumption of validity does not arise if the signature fails the requirements.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا اشترط وجود توقيع خطي على مستند أو عقد أو نحوه، فإن التوقيع الإلكتروني الذي يتم وفقا لهذا النظام يعد مستوفيا لهذا الشرط، ويعد التوقيع الإلكتروني بمثابة التوقيع الخطي، وله الآثار النظامية نفسها.
2- يجب على من يرغب في إجراء توقيع إلكتروني أن يقوم بذلك وفقا لأحكام هذا النظام والضوابط والشروط والمواصفات التي تحددها اللائحة، وعليه مراعاة ما يلي:
أ ) اتخاذ الاحتياطات اللازمة لتلافي أي استعمال غير مشروع لبيانات إنشاء التوقيع، أو المعدات الشخصية المتعلقة بتوقيعه، وتحدد اللائحة تلك الاحتياطات.
ب ) إبلاغ مقدم خدمات التصديق عن أي استعمال غير مشروع لتوقيعه وفق الإجراءات التي تحددها اللائحة.
3 - إذا قدم توقيع إلكتروني في أي إجراء شرعي أو نظامي؛ فإن الأصل - ما لم يثبت العكس أو تتفق الأطراف المعنية على خلاف ذلك - صحة الأمور التالية:
أ ) أن التوقيع الإلكتروني هو توقيع الشخص المحدد في شهادة التصديق الرقمي .
ب ) أن التوقيع الإلكتروني قد وضعه الشخص المحدد في شهادة التصديق الرقمي ، وبحسب الغرض المحدد فيها.
ج ) أن التعامل الإلكتروني لم يطرأ عليه تغيير منذ وضع التوقيع الإلكتروني عليه.
4 - إذا لم يستوف التوقيع الإلكتروني الضوابط والشروط المحددة في هذا النظام واللائحة، فإن أصل الصحة المقرر بموجب الفقرة (3) من هذه المادة لا يقوم للتوقيع ولا للتعامل الإلكتروني المرتبط به.
5- يجب على من يعتمد على التوقيع الإلكتروني لشخص آخر أن يبذل العناية اللازمة للتحقق من صحة التوقيع، وذلك باستخدام بيانات التحقق من التوقيع الإلكتروني وفق الإجراءات التي تحددها اللائحة.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 14 explained in plain English
This article is the legal basis of the electronic signature, and contains five provisions:
- Equivalence to a handwritten signature: where a handwritten signature is required on a document, contract or the like, an electronic signature made in accordance with this Law satisfies that requirement and is treated as a handwritten signature with the same legal effects.
- The signatory's duties: a person who wishes to sign electronically must comply with the Law and with the controls, conditions and specifications set by the Regulations; must take the necessary precautions to prevent any unlawful use of the data used to create their signature or of their personal equipment (the Regulations specify these precautions); and must notify the certification services provider of any unlawful use of their signature, following the procedures in the Regulations.
- Presumption of validity: where an electronic signature is submitted in any Sharia or legal proceeding, the presumption, unless the contrary is proved or the parties agree otherwise, is that it is the signature of the person identified in the digital certification certificate, that they affixed it themselves and for the purpose stated in the certificate, and that the transaction has not changed since it was signed.
- Loss of the presumption: if the signature does not meet the controls and conditions set in the Law and the Regulations, the presumption of validity does not arise, either for the signature or for the related transaction.
- Duty of those who rely on a signature: anyone who relies on another person's signature must exercise due care to verify its validity using the signature verification data, following the procedures in the Regulations.
A digital certification certificate, according to Article 1, is an electronic document issued by a certification services provider to confirm the identity of the holder of a signature system. Anyone who suspects their signature has been used or who disputes a signature attributed to them would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in electronic transactions.
Practical example
Majed discovered that someone had used his electronic signature data without his knowledge. Under this article he must notify the certification services provider of this unlawful use, following the procedures in the Regulations. If his signature, which met the requirements, is submitted in a legal proceeding, the presumption is that it is his signature unless the contrary is proved.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 14 of the Saudi Electronic Transactions Law
Does an electronic signature have the same force as a handwritten signature?
Yes. An electronic signature made in accordance with the Law satisfies the handwritten signature requirement, is treated as one, and has the same legal effects.
What should I do if my electronic signature is used without my permission?
You must notify the certification services provider of any unlawful use of the signature, following the procedures set by the Regulations.
Can an electronic signature attributed to me be denied?
The presumption is that a signature submitted in a Sharia or legal proceeding is valid unless the contrary is proved or the parties agree otherwise, and this presumption does not arise if the signature fails the requirements of the Law and the Regulations.
Do I have to verify the other party's signature?
Yes. Anyone who relies on another person's electronic signature must exercise due care to verify its validity using the verification data, following the procedures in the Regulations.
More articles on The Electronic Signature
- Article 1
The article defines the key terms used in the Electronic Transactions Law, such as electronic record, electronic signature, digital certification certificate and certification services provider.
يقصد بالألفاظ والعبارات الآتية -أينما وردت في هذا النظام- المعاني المبينة أمام كل منها، ما لم يقتض السياق خلاف ذلك: 1 - الوزارة : وزارة الاتصالات وتقنية المعلوم
- Article 22
The certificate holder is responsible for the integrity and confidentiality of their signature system, and every use of it is attributed to them; they must provide correct information, report any change, and not reuse the elements of a suspended or revoked certificate.
1- يعد صاحب الشهادة مسؤولا عن سلامة منظومة التوقيع الإلكتروني الخاصة به وعن سريتها، ويعد صادرا منه كل استعمال لهذه المنظومة، وعليه التقيد بشروط استعمال شهادته و
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.